U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), with his wife Mary at his side, holds a news conference in response to his arrest for insider trading on Aug. 8, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. Collins, along with son Cameron Collins and his fiance's father Stephen Zarsky, were arraigned in Manhattan federal court on charges of insider trading, conspiracy to commit fraud, and lying to federal officials. (John Normile/Getty Images)

CITY HALL -- Upstate Rep. Chris Collins, who was indicted Wednesday on insider trading charges, may have a tough road ahead of him, former Congressman Michael Grimm told the New York Times.

"He's going to have a really, really difficult emotional time," said Grimm, who was re-elected while under indictment for tax evasion. He eventually pleaded guilty and spent eight months in federal prison.

"Washington, as long as you're riding high, they want to be your friend," Grimm said, according to the Times. "And when you're not, they don't want to be anywhere near you."

Grimm recommended Collins hire good lawyers, expect to be inundated by the press and find anything else to talk about, the report said.

"He's going to have to swallow every bit of it. And smile," Grimm told the Times. "He should go right back to his job and remain professional."

Grimm's other bit of advice: Rely on President Donald Trump as part of your re-election strategy.

"If I were him, I would double down on the president needing us," he said, according to the report.